Bookstagram Literally Stole All Our Attention (September Wrap-Up)

While we had been on school vacation for the entire past month, our  plan (or at least my – Adele’s – plan) to blog more… obviously failed. Why? I TOTALLY BLAME BOOKSTAGRAM. Any time I would’ve spent blogging went to scrolling through gorgeously bookish photos and posting some of my own too. Plus it fuelled my inner lazy cat because the process of taking a picture, editing it, and posting it to Instagram is a lot quicker than writing an entire blog post. BUT, I honestly do hope to blog more next month because some things can’t be summed up in a photo caption. And, uh, my review backlog is glaring at me.

Testimonies (And JZ’s Trip to Cambodia)

JZ: Cambodia felt like a really good dream and I can’t wait to go back! I honestly did not expect it to be so much fun – I didn’t know what to expect or how to feel prior to the trip (I wasn’t even excited, which is totally strange since the idea of traveling gets me very excited). But I ended up falling in love with the Kingdom of Wonder (I guess I can say it left me wonderstruck – SEE WHAT I DID THERE? *WINK*) and the people there – playing with the kids and helping the people made me do some soul-searching and I think I’m not the same person I was before the trip, as cheesy and cliché as it may sound. I remember when my teacher in-charge said “if anyone needs their heart to be set in the right place, this is the trip for them”, I was rather skeptical and thought I didn’t need any of that but it seems like I was the one that needed some setting in the right place and I got just that.

Just a short testimony from the trip – we stayed at an orphanage, and the particular room I was bunking in was really strange – there were bees that would mysteriously appear in our room and it was pretty bad (about 10 to 15 bees clustering around the lights making horrid buzzing noises every night. Someone even got stung when she accidentally stepped on a dead bee on the floor). One night before I slept, I prayed that the bees would not come in and leave us alone and when I woke up in the morning, there was only one bee in the room! Yes, it may not have been a total disappearance but one compared to fifteen is a big difference. And I have God to thank for that. :)

Adele: My testimonies this month aren’t as wild as last month’s but I just really want to thank God for providing me everything I need (food, money for transportation, etc). Basically, I was called to do something that wasn’t the well-paying part-time job my Mom would’ve preferred and she decided to cut off my entire allowance for the duration of my holidays. But of course, I knew that as long as I followed God’s plan, He would provide me everything I needed and so it was. I’ve been blessed by many various people and money always seem to come right when I need it to eat, fund the little project I was called to, or wherever else it was required. God’s a seriously amazing Dad. ;)

And, my younger sister and I successfully snuck her to church! She’s been asking me to bring her to our youth services for quite some time but my Mom didn’t approve nor did she want my sister going to church. In the end, my sister decided to tag along with me despite my Mom’s opinions (she literally ran out when my mom wasn’t paying attention, haha) and it’s been a few weeks since our Mission Impossible-style escape and mommy dearest might be warming up to the fact that my sister wants to know Jesus. Or at least she’s thawing at the idea. It helps that her friends and our family are telling her that choices of belief are in the end, up to individuals and to let my sister to start making her own decisions as a budding young adult.

I’m just glad my little sissy’s seeing the tip of the iceberg that’s the fan-freaking-tastic life with Jesus by her side and all the excitement it brings. The One creative enough to make this entire world is never dull, after all. Can’t wait for her to witness the miracles I have and even more!

#BOOKSTAGRAM

A: It’s no secret I love bookstagram. So much that I wrote an entire post pondering whether I should ditch blogging and jump ship. Of course, I decided to stick with both in the end but currently, I’m still a little obsessed with bookstagram. It’s almost like I’m a kid with a new Barbie and all the excitement made me forget my old, scruffy but trusty stuffed animal just a teensy bit. And if any of you do want to check out my spanking new Barbie, it’s @apageofheaven. Please excuse my horrid analogies. Also, I AM SO GLAD I GOT JZ HOOKED ON BOOKSTAGRAM TOO.

J: At first I was like “there Adel goes, finding a new obsession for the holidays” and didn’t really bother about bookstagram until I decided one fine day that maaaybe I could try my hand at it and clearly it was the best decision ever cause now I can’t stop thinking of new ways to arrange random props and books and play with filters and lightning and GAH BOOKSTAGRAM IS JUST SO FUN AND THE COMMUNITY IS LOVELY EVERYONE THAT I’VE MET SO FAR HAS BEEN REALLY FRIENDLY. And yes, Adel’s analogy of a spanking new Barbie is very accurate. (And if you’d like to see what I’ve been up to, head on over to @thejinglebook!)

TV & Movies

Downton Abbey season 2

A: I couldn’t help but binge episodes 4-9 because I had so much time and this show. THIS SHOW. It’s so beautiful and everyone in it is lovely and unique and EVERYTHING IS TOO SPECTACULAR. Season 2 was definitely more eventful than season 1, what with WWI and how it’s affecting all the characters. To prevent spoilers, I’ll just say that this season took me through some real emotional turmoil. A rollercoaster ride, really. It also suddenly made my inner reading voice take on a British accent for a day or two, it was strange. And I wouldn’t have minded much if I wasn’t reading a contemporary novel set in America.

J: I think I need a break from Downton after marathoning two episodes per night to catch up with Adel. But it was great and the plot twists were insane and had me screeching at times but all is well now. (A: OR SO YOU THINK. HEH.)

The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

A: I love this movie. LOVE IT. And not only because Henry Cavill is drop-dead gorgeous. Because Armie Hammer looked dreamy too (he looks A LOT better here than he did in Mirror Mirror). The entire movie felt like a classy vintage spy flick filmed and produced by modern technology. I’ll definitely be re-watching this, not just to stare at Solo and Illya, but also because the music, filming, and editing all came together so well! (Ok, I will admit Henry Cavill’s lovely face enticed me to start watching The Tudors today.)

J: YOU GUYS HAVE TO LISTEN TO THE MOVIE SOUNDTRACK. Yes, the one with instrumentals only. It’s so cute and captured that super spy vibe perfectly and it’s just very fun to listen to. You could try to imagine living life on the edge while the music plays in the background. And the movie was just one massive eye candy, with two very attractive male leads and Gabby who’s (seemingly) tiny but dangerous and sassy and crazy. I want to be her.

Anime

Charlotte

A: The only summer anime I’ve completed because God Eater‘s release schedule is so messed up and the number of episodes delayed is insane. The story was pretty cool although there were quite a few boring bits. While Charlotte‘s highs were pretty darn high, its lows were pretty low too. Its the sort of anime you enjoy (the ending was creative too) but just doesn’t trigger any strong emotions. Would I recommend it? Probably if you’re looking for a way to pass time but don’t want to watch too brainless an anime.

As for the upcoming fall animes, I CANNOT WAIT FOR NORAGAMI SEASON 2, or Noragami Aragoto. I’m literally counting down the days until 3 October! I also watched the Akatsuki no Yona OVA a few days ago and it was like fan service in a PG13 package, HAHA. But I’m not complaining as long as Jaeha gets some screen time to be his usual smartassy self. Guys, he’s like Nikolai/Sturmhond from the Grishaverse in anime form. I’m not kidding.

As for what I’m currently watching, CODE GEASS IS AMAZING. Sure, the animation and art leaves much to pine for but the story is goal. Want a smart, action-packed plot? LEARN FROM CODE GEASS. Also very slowly watching season 2 of Kamisama Kiss. I don’t actually enjoy the anime as much as I enjoy laughing at the anime. All the sparkles and cliché romance make me cringe but burst out laughing at the same time. I’ll admit my style of finding amusement can be rather strange.

Books

    

A: I read a whopping 5 books in September! For a slow reader like me, that’s a lot. Especially since 3 out of the 5 were giants (I’m looking at you in particular, Queen of Shadows). I loved every single one of the gigantic books I read (again, staring at you, Queen of Shadows) and enjoyed the other 2 a lot! Overall, book-wise, this month was fantastic. Though I still find myself needing to clear a huge review backlog. This month just added even more to the list. *nervous laughter*

 

J: I’ve only finished The Wrath and The Dawn this month. I thought I wouldn’t have time to read while in Cambodia so I didn’t think of bringing some books with me (a huge regret). But I borrowed Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone from a friend and I’m about two-thirds of the way through. It’s been nothing short of magical and I love J.K. Rowling’s sense of humour!

Posts recap

7/9 – Review: I’ll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios
12/9 – Bookstagram or Book Blogging?
21/9 – Review: The Winner’s Crime by Marie Rutkoski

Last Words

A: September has been a pretty curious month where I felt like I’m doing many things but still found lots of free time on my hands. I’m thankful for so many things, namely God’s providence and the wonderful bookstagram community (somehow I made a gazillion more friends in 2 weeks of bookstagramming than 2 years of blogging, weird). I hope I would be able to read as many books in October as I did in September but I wouldn’t get my hopes up. My fourth semester in polytechnic starts mid-October so… But I’m definitely excited to get this coming semester done and over with and get on to my 6-month internship next year!

J: October… It’s going to be another interesting and exciting month, with school starting in a few weeks and it also means we’re a month closer to the 1989 World Tour Singapore! I’m so excited – the countdown on my phone (no, I am not ashamed to admit that I do have a countdown timer to her concert) says it’s 38 days till I see Taylor IN FLESH. 37 days till she steps onto Singapore’s shores! (A: 37/38 days until we meet her in person too, HEHE.)

How has your month been? Watched any good movies or read any good books? Or did you fall in love with bookstagram too? ;)